CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70: JUST LIKE COMING HOME

Heather Underwood was afraid she had misspoken.

She hurriedly said, "Our family is very open-minded, even if you come with a child, as long as Declan likes you, it’s fine!"

Poppy Hale smiled bitterly, looking at Heather Underwood.

There was a touch of sincerity in her eyes.

"Declan Hawthorne and I, back in school, were a lot like you and your ex-husband. I didn’t mind him being poor, he probably... really minded my spoiled temperament."

Heather Underwood showed a trace of surprise on her face.

Then, she recalled the family rules of the Hawthorne Family.

Heather Underwood, CEO of a subsidiary of the Hawthorne Group and a renowned negotiation expert, was quick-witted and perceptive to the hidden meanings in words.

From the few words of Poppy Hale, she immediately pieced together that past.

It was probably during university when Declan Hawthorne, mistaken for a poor but diligent student, fell in love with then well-off Poppy Hale.

Heather Underwood wanted to say something.

But when she met the eyes of Poppy Hale, eyes as clear as crystal without a trace of emotion, the sharp-speaking Heather was startled.

The negotiation expert, always successful in the business world, could only say weakly at this moment, "Declan and my ex-husband are different."

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting a golden glow on Poppy Hale’s face.

Illuminating her features, making them shine, almost dazzling in their whiteness.

"Indeed, they are different. At least your ex-husband probably never told you he didn’t like you, right?"

She spoke with a smile, her tone friendly.

Heather followed suit with a laugh, her eyebrows dancing with delight.

"Of course not, if he dared to say he didn’t like me, I would’ve kicked him out back then! I..."

Heather suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

In disbelief, she looked at the smiling Poppy Hale in front of her.

Then glanced at Declan Hawthorne steadily holding Florence Lynch.

The moment of realization hit her, and she wished she could slap herself.

Poppy Hale’s gaze also fell on Declan Hawthorne and Florence Lynch, thinking that it was almost time; Florence was about to sweat.

In a little while, it would get uncomfortable.

Walking toward Florence, Poppy’s voice gently reached Heather’s ears.

"He did say it."

"He said it sixty-two times."

Heather stood there, watching Poppy Hale walk toward Declan Hawthorne.

She reached out to stroke Florence’s face, urging them to go inside.

Her attitude toward Declan Hawthorne was neither warm nor cold, showing proper restraint.

From the moment they entered, Heather had sensed something unusual and now she fully understood.

She really was too nosy.

After entering, they started eating.

Florence almost sat on Declan Hawthorne the entire time, not needing Poppy to take a break to look after her.

Probably because Declan had knocked some sense into them beforehand, Tristan Hawthorne and Justin Hawthorne didn’t make any joking remarks.

After the meal, Iris Quill was taken away by Heather Underwood.

Poppy Hale, along with her daughter, went with Declan Hawthorne to a mall near the restaurant.

The entire floor was dedicated to children’s clothing.

Declan Hawthorne picked out a few pieces and asked Florence, "Do you like them?"

After lunch, Florence was a bit sleepy, lying on Declan’s shoulder, shaking her head.

"Mom can choose."

Poppy Hale stood by, whispering, "She has plenty of clothes. No need to buy more."

"These are a gift from me to her. Consider it a peace offering from me, her uncle, for Iris bullying her."

Poppy Hale pursed her lips.

The matter of Iris Quill bullying Florence had practically become a line-up of apologies from everyone in the Hawthorne Family.

A few days ago at kindergarten, Florence said she almost fell.

Iris was beside her and acted as a cushion, ending up with a face full of dirt.

She held back her tears and even comforted Florence.

After school, thinking Florence had left, she cried so much she almost blew the roof off.

After that incident, Poppy Hale’s attitude toward the chubby kid changed.

"No need for this much."

Declan Hawthorne stubbornly said, "I want to buy her these. Are you going to stop me? With my wallet, not many can control it."

Poppy Hale looked down at the sleeping Florence.

She didn’t notice his gaze, so intense, so burning.

She recalled Mrs. Hawthorne saying that the men in the Hawthorne Family all handed over their salaries after marriage.

Declan’s wallet would naturally be managed by his future wife.

If he wanted to spend money on clothes for Florence, let him be.

After all, it seemed fitting.

Declan Hawthorne was probably buying clothes for a child for the first time, and couldn’t stop once he started.

He almost bought clothes for Florence until she turned five.

Looking at the shopping bags, Poppy Hale felt a headache coming.

Her house might not fit all these.

After Poppy Hale stopped him, he still seemed unsatisfied.

Well, he could buy more in the future.

He drove the mother and daughter home.

Before Poppy Hale could speak, Declan Hawthorne got out of the car, carrying the items he bought for Florence.

After opening the door, she saw the man still holding things, sweat on his forehead.

She suddenly remembered the scene she saw at the restaurant at noon.

Declan holding Florence’s hand, with her happily sitting on his shoulder.

For a moment, Poppy Hale felt a twinge in her nose.

When she looked at Declan again, her tone was noticeably softer.

"Would you like to come in and sit for a while?"

"Sure."

He directly put on the slippers Poppy gave him last time.

He felt at home.

Just like it was his own house.

Poppy Hale retracted her gaze, forcing herself to stay calm.

The landlord called.

"Young Hale, have you looked at any houses yet? I found a buyer, and they want to see the house today. Would you mind opening the door for them?"

This year or so renting, the landlord had been quite accommodating to Poppy Hale.

The rent was several hundred less than other houses in the same community.

At this point, Poppy Hale didn’t want to make it difficult for the other party, so she agreed.

Ten minutes later, a man knocked on the door.

When Poppy Hale opened it, she was surprised to see Nolan Zane.

"What a coincidence? You live here?"

Poppy Hale let Nolan Zane in, "You’re the buyer? Could we negotiate, after you buy the house, give me two days? I’ll move out quickly."

There were only two days left, and it was really unrealistic to move out on such short notice.

Nolan Zane was taken aback for a moment, then scratched his head.

"I’m not the buyer. I’m here looking at the house for my boss’s daughter. She’s busy with work, so my boss asked me to come."

What a hard life.

Doing the technical work others can’t handle.

Running errands others are unwilling to run.

Poppy Hale frowned, a bit puzzled.

She handed Nolan a glass of water.

"Your boss’s daughter?"

Nolan Zane’s boss was likely part of the elite, earning quite well.

His boss’s daughter shouldn’t be in such a hurry to buy an old, small, poorly located house with no investment value.

Nolan looked up at Poppy Hale.

He also saw Declan Hawthorne, standing behind her, just coming out of the bathroom.

He glanced at Nolan, nodding to him before turning his gaze to the bedroom.

Poppy Hale didn’t stop him.

Nolan understood, feeling a sense of regret inside.

Then he said with a smile, "I work at Apex Technologies. Can’t reveal too much, but as long as I get overtime pay for running errands, it’s fine."

Rich people are really capricious.

Nolan was used to it.

He just didn’t expect this house was where Poppy Hale stayed.

The house was small, and their voices in the living room weren’t masked.

Standing in the bedroom, looking through Poppy’s sketchbook, Declan Hawthorne heard their conversation.

After sending Nolan Zane off, Poppy Hale was still a little distracted.

Thinking she needed to find a place quickly.

Declan called her from the bedroom.

Walking in, she saw him sitting at her dressing table, his arms casually draped over the chair, looking relaxed and full of spirit.

"When did you draw me?"